Oliver M. Tuazon is an external PhD candidate at eLaw - Center for Law and Digital Technologies at Leiden University, since October 2020.

More information about Oliver Tuazon

Biography

Oliver M. Tuazon is an external PhD candidate since October 2020. He holds bachelor and master degrees in both fields of science and law. He is a bonafide member of the Philippine bar and is connected with a full-service law firm. He is currently researching on the right to genetic data privacy and forensic investigative genetic genealogy at the Center for Law and Digital Technologies (eLaw) at Leiden University.

Oliver finished his master of laws (LLM) cum laude in forensics, criminology and law at Maastricht University (Netherlands). His thesis dealt with the theoretical feasibility of setting up universal forensic DNA databases in Europe on the basis of jurisprudence emanating from the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). He finished his bachelor of laws (LLB) cum laude at the Faculty of Civil Law of the oldest university in Asia (1611), the University of Santo Tomas. He is now doing his PhD in law at the Center for Law and Digital Technologies (eLaw) of the oldest university in the Netherlands (1575), Leiden University.

Before pursuing his law career, he was a faculty member at the Institute of Biology, College of Science, University of the Philippines. He was an outstanding graduate awardee for his master of science degree in microbiology which he completed under a sandwich program where he did his course work at the University of the Philippines and thesis work at the Massachusetts General Hospital under a professor from Harvard Medical School. His thesis was on the molecular detection of clarithromycin resistance markers of the ulcer-causing bacterium, Helicobacter pylori. He earned his bachelor of science cum laude in fisheries major in fish processing technology at the Miag-ao campus of the University of the Philippines where his thesis focused on the screening, characterization and identification of lactic acid bacteria that are antagonistic to a histidine decarboxylating bacterium. 

Oliver balances his career by volunteering in organizations that promote youth leadership and development where he serves as a consultant, speaker and mentor. He used to climb mountains regularly with his friends. In a relatively flat country like the Netherlands, he has to settle for the hills of Maastricht.

Research

Forensic investigation genetic genealogy FIGG) is a relatively new field which gained popularity in 2018 after its use led to the eventual arrest of the Golden State Killer in the United States. It promises to bring closure to cold cases that have remained unsolved through the current law enforcement method involving CODIS profile data and forensic DNA databases. Its acceptability within the regime of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), particularly under Article 8 (right to respect for private life) with respect to an individual’s genetic or biometric-DNA data, remains unclear. Oliver’s research focuses on determining the actual steps involved in FIGG and evaluating them in the light of jurisprudence emanating from the Strasbourg Court on the right to respect for private life. In the process, it proposes a normative framework for determining to what extent, and under which conditions, FIGG can be used by law enforcement within the legal confines of Article 8 ECHR. 

Ancillary Activities

Oliver is an associate at the Campos Canobas Sy Selva Ligon Dato Attorneys & Counselors-at-Law, a full-service law firm located at the Ortigas central business district in Pasig City (Philippines). He has handled cases in the fields of tax, corporate, criminal, administrative and family-estate law. He also heads the Executive Committee of Universitas Foundation, Inc., a non-stock, non-profit organization that aims to form principled leaders in various sectors of society.

Publications